Copley: I want to stay at the Titans

OFF-contract centre Dale Copley says he'd love to stay on the Gold Coast as he enjoys some of the best form of his career on the Gold Coast.

Copley was pilloried for his defence last season in a team that suffered as it failed to embrace a new system.

But he has improved markedly and with five tries to his name already this season, is also flourishing in attack.

"I think this has been the best start the year that I've had in quite a few years," he said.

"I'm working hard to keep improving and we'll see where that takes me. Where I'll end up I'm not sure, it's a bit slow-moving at the moment.

"If I'm not playing well, I won't be anywhere.

"I'd like to (stay). Southeast Queensland is home for me - I tried Sydney once and it presented a lot of challenges other than footy and it was not a great experiment."

Dale Copley would like to re-sign with the Titans and stay on the Gold Coast. Photo: Getty Images

The Sydney experiment was at the Roosters, where Copley ended up after being squeezed out at Brisbane when former Titan James Roberts headed up the M1.

And while his time at the Roosters did not end as he had hoped, he is looking forward to playing against his old club.

"I've still got a few mates there," he said.

"They're obviously heavyweights of the comp so it's a huge challenge for everyone and we've got to be right for 80 minutes.

"We went up against a heavyweight (in the Storm) two weeks ago and for probably 60 minutes were the better team but we still came out without a result, so we'll have to be right for 80 this week otherwise we'll get the same dished up to us this week as we did then."

The recruitment of Brenko Lee to the Titans as well as the addition of young gun Phillip Sami - who is equally comfortable in the centres as on the flank - was thought to be likely to put pressure on Copley this season.

Dale Copley has been in near career-best form this season for the Titans. Photo: AAP

But he has thrived under new coach Garth Brennan, who is a fan of the former Broncos flyer.

"He's been really good for us this year," Brennan said of Copley.

"His body probably is the one thing that lets Dale down because he does get injured a bit at times.

"But when he's fit and healthy, I reckon he's up there as one of the better centres in the game."